Laminar flow is applied in the water oil separation.

1. Describe the characteristics of the laminar flow.

Laminar flow occurs when a fluid flows in parallel layers, with no disruption of between the
layers. Laminar has a constant velocity which is the smallest. The flow is laminar when the
Re < 2000. The values depend on the shape of the pipe, roughness, shape of the pipe inlet.
The limits are also soft numbers. The fluid for laminar flows flow smoothly down the pipe.
When the fluid is moving slowest, it will get a well-defined streak lines.
Fluids that flow in a laminar fashion have typically large viscosity such as oil.
2. b) Give an example of equipment and describe the working mechanism of this equipment
to separate the water and oil mixture.
Equipment : Oil Water Separators.
It is any device or a piece of equipment which utilizes the difference in density between oil
and petroleum products and water to remove the oil or associated chemicals from the water.
Some basics types are the American Petroleum Institute (API) Separator, Coalesing Plate (CP)
separator, and Spill Control (SC) separator.
Oil water separators remove oil and other water-insoluble hydrocarbons and settleable solids
from storm water runoff.
Oil separates from water under gravity. It is gravity that makes the oil float to the surface.
Every oil water separator relies on this mechanism. However, it takes time to separate oil
from the water because it depends on the difference in density between oil and water,
the temperature, the size of the oil droplets in the mixture and the type of oil.
The separation may takes from minutes to days.
At the heart of the every separator solution is the separator mechanism. It is a simple mechanism
which uses the flow dynamics to collect, concentrate and to separate the traces of oil and
remove it from the process continuously. One of the factors that influence the velocity at
which oil separates under gravity is the concentration of oil in the mixture. By concentrating
the oil traces, the separator device increase the velocity of oil separation. Every oil
separator will separates oil when the concentration in the mixture is high enough. However,
oil/water separation is not about the oil. It is about water and how clean the water is
followng the separation. To get a low oil concentration, it is necessary to separate out even the
small traces of oil at low oil concentrations.
Question 2
When a fluid flows through a tube or over a surface, the pattern of the flow varies with the
velocity, the physical properties of the fluid and the geometry of the surface.
By determining the Reynold number, these patterns can be classified to laminar,
transitional, and turbulent flow.
a) Dye is injected in a horizontal glass tube of flowing water. Using a proper diagram,
construct laminar and turbulent flow patterns of dye in a glass tube and explain their characteristics.
In Laminar Flow :-
Velocity average (Vavg)
Dye trace

Dye injection
From the above diagram, it is said to be a laminar flow, which is characterized by smooth
streamlines, and highly ordered motion. It is also observed that the dye streak forms a
straight and smooth line at low velocities. Under most practical conditions, the flow in a
circular pipe is laminar for Re < 2000. The flow was also in parallel streams which do not interact
with each other. In the laminar flow, the maximum velocity is at the center line and the slowest
velocity at the walls.
In Turbulent Flow,
Velocity, Vavg
dye trace

Dye injection
In turbulent flow, it is characterized by the velocity flunctuations and highly
disordered motion. It is also observe that the dye streak has burst as the fluctuations
and zigzags rapidly and randomly when the flow becomes fully turbulent. These
zigzags and the dispersion of the dye are indicative of the fluctuations in the main
flow and rapid mixing of fluid particles in adjacent layers. The intense mixing of fluid
in the turbulent flow as the results of rapid fluctuations enhances momentum transfer
between fluid particles which increases the friction force on the surface and thus the
required pumping power. The friction factor reaches a maximum when the flow become
fully turbulent. For flow in the turbulent, the Re > 4000. The turbulent flow has a
fluctuating velocity about some mean value. The flow rate is largest. In the turbulent
flow, the streaks line show wiggles and vortices. The fluid does not flow smoothly
down the pipe. The turbulent flow also known as an erotic flow. The flow is not
efficient due to the losses of energy.
Question 3
Oil of viscosity 10mNs/m^2, and specific gravity 0.90, flows through 60 m and 100 mm diameter
pipe and the pressure drop is 13.8 kN/m^2. what will be the pressure drop for the second oil of
viscosity 30mNs/m^2 and specific gravity 0.95 flowing at the same rate through the pipe?
assume the pipe wall to be smooth.
1 0.01 Ns/m^2
SG oil 0.9
l 60 m
d 0.1 m
2 3.00E-02 Ns/m^2
SG oil 0.95
oil 900 kg/m^3
water 1000 kg/m^3
u 1.33 m/s
Re = ud/
= u*900*0.1/0.01
= 9000 u
R/u^2 * Re^2 = - Pd^3*/4l^2
in figure 3.8, when Re = 12000
hence, the velocity obtained is
For the second oil, Re 4.21E+03
In Figure 3.7, the friction factor , R/u^2 gives = 0.0048 for this value of Re.
For equation 3.8 :
=

2

2
=

4
2

=
13.8 1000 0.10
3
900
4 60 0.01
2
= 5.2 10
5

2
= 5.2 10
5
,
12000
9000
= 1.33 /
-=
4

2

40.0048609501.33
0.10
= 1.94 10
4
/
2

Question 4
Problem 3.10
A petroleum product of viscosity 0.5 mNs/m^2 and the density 700 kg/m^3 is pumped
through a pipe of 0.15 m diameter to storage tanks situated 100 m away. The pressure drop
along a pipe is 70 kN/m^2. The pipeline has to be repaired and it is necessary to pumped the
liquid by an alternative route consisting of 70 m of 200 mm pipe followed by 50 m of 100 mm pipe.
if the exixting pump is capable of developing a pressure of 300 kN/m^2, will it be suitable for
use during the period required for the repairs? Take the roughness of the pipe surface as 0.05 mm.
0.0005 Ns/m^2 Pressure 2 300000 N/m^2
of petroleum 700 kg/m^3 e/d 0.05 mm
d of pipe 0.15 m R 1.03E+00
l of pipe 100 m Pi 3.142
P 7.00E+04 N/m^2 Velocity, u 4.19 m/s
l 70 m R/u^2 (pipe 1) 0.0018
d of pipe 2 2.00E-01 m R/u^2 (pipe 2) 0.002
l of pipe 50 m
d of pipe 3 0.1 m
Area of pipe 0.01767375 m^2
From equation 3.23 =
From equation 3.23 = 1653750000
From Figure 3.8, Re = 8.8 x 10^5
u= 4.19 m/s
Cross-sectional area = 0.0176738 m^2
Volumetric flowrate , Q = u/A 0.074053 m^3/s
Cross-sectional area in pipe 2 = 3.14E-02 m^2
The velocity in 0.2 m diameter pipe = Q/A 2.36E+00 m/s
The velocity in 0.1m diameter pipe 9.4275 m/s
Reynolds Number in 0.2 m pipe 6.60E+05
Reynolds Number in 0.1 m pipe 1319850
The values of e/d for 0.2 m and 0.1 m pipes are 0.00025 and 0.0005 respectively.
From Figure 3.7, R/u^2 = 0.0018 and 0.002 respectively.

2

2
=

4
2

=
700000.15
3
700
41000.0005
2
= 1.65 10
9

700 101.5
0.5 10
3

(0.15)
2
4

(0.2)
2
4

From the equation 3.18 :-
9.80E+03 248857.7
258657.7 N/m^2
=
4 0.0018 70 700 2.36^2
0.2
+
4 0.002 50 700 9.44
2
0.1

=
=
Question 5
Problem 3.20.
Oil of viscosity 10mNs/m^2 and specific gravity of 0.90 flows through 60 m of 100 mm diameter
pipe and the pressure drop is 13.8 kN/m^2. What will be the pressure drop for a second oil
of the viscosity 30 mNs/m^2 and the specific gravity 0.95 flowing at the same rate through a pipe.
assume the pipe wall to be smooth.
0.01 Ns/m^2 Re1 12000
SG 0.9 Velcity, u 1.33 m/s
d 1.00E-01 m Re2 4.21E+03
l 60 m R/u^2 0.0048
P 13800 N/m^2
2 0.03 Ns/m^2
SG 0.95
of water 1000 kg/m^3
Re = u x (0.90 x 1000) x (100/1000) x (10e-3)
= 9000 u

= 5.18E+05
From Figure 3.8, when Re = 12000
Hence, the velocity, u = 12000/9000
= 1.33 m/s
For the second oil, the same velocity is used although the viscosity and the density are different,
950 kg/m^3 and 0.03 Ns/m^2.
Hence, Re = 4.21E+03
For a smooth pipe, Figure 3.7 gives a friction factor
From equation 3.18 :
= 19358.84 N/m^2
= 19.35884 kN/m^2

2

2
=

4
2

2
= 5.2 x 10^5,

2
= 0.0048 for this value of Re.
= 4

2

Question 6
6. During backwashing process of a softener tank, resin in the tank is regenerated using brine solution.
The Reynoldss number in the tank is needed to be maintained in a range of 4500 to 5500 for
effective regeneration process. The internal diameter of the tank is 2 m. Two pipes with 200 mm
internal diameter each are installed vertically at top and bottom of the tank with 0.5 m length
per pipe. The viscosity and the density of the brine solution are taken as 1.2 mNs/m
2
and 1250 kg/m3 respectively. The softener tank is 4 m high and had a friction loss equivalent
to 300 pipes diameter;
a) Determine the head loss of the brine solution during backwashing process
b) If the pump is 80% efficient, calculate the power requirement for the pump during
backwashing process.
d 2 m UT 0.00216 m/s
Di 0.2 m AT 3.142 m^2
l 0.5 m R/u^2 0.005
1.20E-03 Ns/m^2 Ap 0.03142 m^2
1250 kg/m^3 friction loss 300
H 4 m G 8.48 kg/s
Re2 5500
Re1 4500
Pi, 3.142
UT = 0.00216 m/s
Flow rate, Q = UT x AT
0.00678672 m^3/s
Assume as smooth pipe,
From equation 3.18 :-
= 1.90239E-08 N/m^2
b) G = mass flow rate = Q x
UP = Q/A = 0.216 m/s
Length of pipe = 0.5 + (300 x 0.2) = 60.5 m

= 300

=
45001.23
12502

2
= 0.005,
= 4

= 0.00678672 1250
= 8.48 kg/s
Head loss in pipe, hf = 0.028774 m
Head loss in total = Head loss in tank + Head loss in pipe
= (1.9e-8)+(0.028774 x 2)
= 0.057547175 m
Power = G x hf total x g
= 8.48 x 0.057547 x 9.81
= 4.78728 W
80 % efficiency = 4.79 x 80/100
= 3.829824344 W
For Re = 5500,
= 0.00264 m/s
Flow rate, Q = UT x AT
= 0.00264 x
= 0.00829488 m^3/s
Assume for smooth pipe :
From equation 3.18 :-
=
= 2.84183E-08 N/m^2
b) G = mass flow rate = Q x
G = 0.00829488 x 1250
= 10.3686 kg/s
UP = Q/A
=
= 0.264 m/s
= 4

=
55001.23
12502

2
2
4

2
= 0.005,
= 4

4(0.005)
4
2
0.00264
2
9.81

0.00829488
(0.2
2
)/4

Length of pipe = 0.5 + (300 x 0.2)
= 60.5 m
Head loss in pipe, hf = 0.042983 m
Head loss in total = Head loss in tank + Head loss in pipe
= (2.842e-8)+(0.042983 x 2)
= 0.042983 m
Power = G x hf total x g
= 10.3686 x 0.042983 x 9.81
= 4.372035 W
80 % efficiency = 4.37 x 80/100
= 3.497628 W
= 4

=
Question 7
Derive equation of flow for an ideal gas based on the energy balance of a flowing fluid in
a pipe as shown in figure 1.
(u du)/ + gdz + vdP +Ws +F = 0

+ + + = 0
= 0, = 4 (

2
) ^2

= 4

^2

2

=0

+ + +4

2

2

= 0

u =

,
2
=

2

2
=

and hence,
1

2
+ + +4

= 0

For turbulent flow, = 1,

Then, the flow for horizontal pipe : (dz=0)

2
+ +4

= 0

Dividing by v^2:-

(

)^2 (

) +

+4(

2
)(

)^2

=0

Integrating the equation :-
(

)^2 (

) +

+4(

2
)(

)^2

=0
(

)^2 (

1
) +

1
= 0

Question 8
Air is flowing at a rate of 30 kg/m^2 s through a smooth pipe of 50 mm diameter and 300 m long.
If the upstream pressure is 800kN/m^2, what will the downstream pressure be if the flow is
isothermal at 273 K? take the viscosity of air as 0.015 mNs/m^2 and assume that the volume
occupies 22.4 m^3. What is the significance of the change in kinetic energy of the fluid? =
G/A 30 kg/m^2.s =
d 0.05 m
l 300 m =
P1 800 kN/m^2 =
P2 0 kN/m^2 =
0.000015 Ns/m^2
one mole Vgas at STP 22.4 m^3
T 273 K
KE kg/m^2.s
Apipe 0.00196375 m^2
Vair at STP 29 m^3
P2 793 kN/m^2
0.097806897 m^3/kg
Re 100000
R/u^2 0.0032
Patm 101.3 kPa/kN/m^2
The specific volume at the upstream condition is :
v1 = 0.097806897 m^3/kg
Re = 100000
From Figure 3.7,

and the downstream pressure, P2 = 793 kN/m^2

2
+

2
2

1
2
211
+4

2
= 0

1
=
22.4
29

273
273

101.3
800
= 0.098
3
/
=

2
= 0.0032, substituting into

2
+

2
2

1
2
211
+4

2
= 0
= 30
2
ln
800
2
+

2
2
800
2
10
6
280010
3
0.098
+ 4 0.0032
300
0.05
30
2
= 0
The kinetic energy term,
7.909655
7.909655 -71.2565 69120
69056.65 kg^2/m^4s^s
This is insignificant in comparison with the value as 69056.65 kg^2/m^4s^2.

2
ln

2
= 30
2
ln
800
793
=7.91
2
/
4

2
+

2
2

1
2
211
+4

2
= 0